Monday

Yesterday was a pretty fun day. We left work at 12, had lunch with the Clients & went bowling. It was great to be out of work early and hanging out. I am not much of a bowler and only got a 79 and 81. oh well!

Then, Betsy made me a great salmon dinner. The salmon was a pre-marinated fish from Whole Foods. I do not shop at Whole Foods but I might have to start!

Only 2 days until Seattle. I can't wait! Plus, tonight, Erik doesn't have hockey until 11pm so we can hang out tonight. yippee.

Settle

Get this - Dog Bite Man wants to settle. He wants to pay me 50% of the bill. I am not sure what to do:

A)Take 50% and not go to court
B)Go to court and have the judge make him pay me 50% (which would be a waste of time)
C)Go to court & have the judge award me the full amount PLUS court fees, which could happen
D)Risk going to court and receiving $0 from him, to which I should've accepted his settlement

I will be discussing with my lawyer :-)

Summer Class

My summer Psych class starts on 7/13. I looked up the book that I need and it is $150 new or $113 used through the school. On half.com, it is $30!! haha.

Ugliest Dog

This is the newest 'Ugliest Dog'. I think he's cute!

A staple of the Sonoma-Marin Fair for 21 years, the World's Ugliest Dog Contest happened over the weekend. The winner? Pabst, this boxer-mix beauty, at right, with an extreme overbite. According to the dog's owner, Miles Egstad from Citrus Heights, he was "given his name because he had a 'bitter beer face.

That is a funny story! haha

So Cute

So now that I have less than $500 to pay on my car, another one has caught my eye. I am NOT buying a new car but I just think this car is so cute. A VW Bug convertible. Too bad it is $26,000!
The next car I buy, I am going to try to pay at least 1/2 for in cash.

Harvey Milk

I finished watching MILK today. It was a very touching story with such a sad ending. Harvey Milk really was a pioneer in human rights - just like Martin Luther King. He put himself out there & stood up for what people were afraid to say. It is such a tragedy that he was killed. And, it is such a tragedy that Dan White only got 5 years in prison for manslaughter not 1st degree murder. Sean Penn also did a remarkable job. He deserved the Oscar.

Oxy Clean Guy

Man, the Oxy Clean Guy died too?? That is 4 people in a week. Unreal. He was only 50, too!

Farmer's Market

Today, Erik and I went out to breakfast. I was so stuffed when I left. We had french toast with cinnamon bananas on top and home fries. So good. Then, we went over to the farmers market. I love it. Everything is so fresh & nicely priced. We got some great stuff. Also, there was a honey tent there. They had a honey comb(?) with bees in it.





HUGE sunflowers



Colorful

It was so cool. The bees were carrying larvae to the bottom of the box to keep them away from the Queen. I felt the need to tell the people running the honey tent, "I read the Secret Life of Bees" to which I am sure they were like, um ok great why are you telling us that. haha.

Saturday

Yesterday was a productive day. I got my hair cut. I am trying to grow it but since I can wear it straight or curly I have to get layers in there so I don't look crazy with my curly hair. Evie also went to the vet to get her butt squeezed. haha. That is gross but that is what I say to her.

What a good girl sitting & waiting patiently.

Wimbledon was on yesterday and we watched Andy Roddick WIN. Maybe this is his year to win Wimbledon although I don't think he can get past Federer, ever.


Here is Evie sleeping on me of course, during tennis.

Then, we tried a new restaurant:


I had a $25 gift card, that I paid about $1 for, from restaurant.com. We wanted to go for appetizers and small plates. This place was a disappointment. The online menu was not accurate for what they had to serve. They did not have the full wine list and only served certain small plates each night. Oh well, we tried some place new. We won't go back though. We had tuna tartar, crab cakes, mushroom risotto, and calamari.

Finally, we came home and watched MILK. I fell asleep half way through(as opposed to within the first 5 mins) so I will finish it today. Seems appropriate since it's Pride weekend!

Pride Weekend

It is Gay Pride weekend here. There are a ton of people here in the city. There is events all weekend such as parades & parties. We didn't go to anything but here are some pics from what is going on.

Friday

On Friday, I did some errands and cleaning. I went to the library. I got 6 books out. A little excessive but I'd rather have a bunch and read & renew them rather than go back every 2 weeks. I was on the elevator in the library and this old guy (who looked like Uncle Lewis from Ntnl. Lampoon Christmas) said to me "You're going to burn your eyes out reading all those books!"
He even sounded like Uncle Lewis "The Blessing!"

Anyway, I also went to gap and got 2 pairs of jeans for $20 each. One pair was long but they fit well, so I will get them tailored. Then, Evie and I went down to Target & BBB. We got a new shower caddy thing and cleaning stuff we needed. Our tub is clogging. I poured like 1/2 the bottle of liquid plummer down there and it still isn't clear. We'll try it again or end up asking for a plumber to come out.

SF MJ Tribute

Apparently, there was a flash gathering for MJ in SF last night, too. I heard it lasted 6 hours!

Mac & Cheese

Kraft has this cool site where you just click & they donate a box of mac & cheese. Click below to donate!

next week

I just looked at my work calendar for next week. Monday is a 1/2 day b/c we are doing this bowling outing on Monday. In the office Tues & Wed and off Thurs & Fri. woohoo!

Passive Aggressive

Have seen that blog, www.passiveaggressivenotes.com? It's pretty funny. Here is one from the other day that I laughed at.

Moonwalk

Flash mom in London to sing Billie Jean

Wowza

Friday

Well, I never made it to the library. I went back to Oakland yesterday for the happy hour and did not leave there until 7pm so I didn't get home in time. I will go today. I am also going down to Target to get some stuff that we need. Exciting night. Actually, I like going to Target and buying household items because I feel like we have everything we need. Buying toilet paper = we are safe. hah.

We also don't have any plans for the weekend, again! We'll see what comes our way. The weather is supposed to be awesome!

What a day

What a day Thursday was. First Farrah, then Michael. MJ seems very surreal. Like when Princess Diana died, I thought it was fake. It seems like it's not possible. He was a very troubled person though. We all know about his troubled childhood and then life. Apparently, he had a perscription drug problem to cope with everything. As always, I feel bad for the children who now do not have a parent.

Last night people were blasting MJ as they rode down our main street. His songs were like 5 out of the top 10 on iTunes right now. Very crazy day.

Is he?

Is he dead or alive? The King of Pop suffered from cardiac arrest today. TMZ says he's dead but CNN won't confirm.

Thursday

It's Thursday. What a busy, busy day. I was at the Client at 930am and things are moving fast & furious over here. After work, I will be going to the Library. I can't wait. I love getting new books. That is my happy moment of the day.

Beer

Well I have 2 new beers that I like. 1)Scrimshaw (a pilsner) and 2)Lagunitas (an Indian pale ale)






Last night, we went to Erik's 8pm hockey game. Then, to the bar. I did not go to bed until 1230 so of course, today I am tired. This AM definitely felt like it should be Thursday not Wednesday. Ugh! Tomorrow, I just found out we have to go out for drinks with the clients from 4-5. Ugh, again. Oh well, in one week, we will be heading to Seattle! woohoo

Ok, scary!

What is up w. North Korea?? They are threatening war on us, basically. They apparently have a ship full of weapons and the US sent out a destroyer boat to follow it. Well, now N. Korea is saying that if we or our allies ask to see waht is in the boat, they will take that as a declaration of war!

"If the U.S. imperialists start another war, the army and people of Korea will ... wipe out the aggressors on the globe once and for all," a dispatch from the official Korean Central News Agency said.

SCARY.

SD

I just booked my flight to San Diego for my friend Kirsten's wedding! It is going to be fun. There are a couple of other college/sorority friends going and it will be a good time. It is in August so it should be so nice down there!

spider bite

i am still alive. i think the bite is going away.

Chicken Piccata

Last night, I made chicken piccata & it was delish. I used Giada's recipe. Here you go -

Ingredients

• 2 skinless and boneless chicken breasts, butterflied and then cut in half
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• All-purpose flour, for dredging
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 cup chicken stock
• 1/4 cup brined capers, rinsed
• 1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Season chicken with salt and pepper. Dredge chicken in flour and shake off excess.

In a large skillet over medium high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter with 3 tablespoons olive oil. When butter and oil start to sizzle, add 2 pieces of chicken and cook for 3 minutes. When chicken is browned, flip and cook other side for 3 minutes. Remove and transfer to plate. Melt 2 more tablespoons butter and add another 2 tablespoons olive oil. When butter and oil start to sizzle, add the other 2 pieces of chicken and brown both sides in same manner. Remove pan from heat and add chicken to the plate.

Into the pan add the lemon juice, stock and capers. Return to stove and bring to boil, scraping up brown bits from the pan for extra flavor. Check for seasoning. Return all the chicken to the pan and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove chicken to platter. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to sauce and whisk vigorously. Pour sauce over chicken and garnish with parsley.

First Family: Just LIke Us

Malia and Sasha's big adventure

First Daughters Malia and Sasha Obama, along with their grandmother, Marian Robinson, rode San Francisco's newest cable car Monday afternoon.

Mike Kepka/The Chronicle

The First Family, minus mom and dad, takes in some sightseeing aboard a cable car.

The trio rode cable car No. 15, which made its maiden voyage just hours earlier. The first family rode from the cable car barn and powerhouse on Nob Hill to Lombard Street. There, they got back into a more mundane automobile for a ride down the short stretch of Lombard Street known as the Crookedest Street in the World.

''We got them there safely,'' reported Municipal Transportation Agency chief Nathaniel Ford, who escorted the girls and the First Lady's mom. ''We are honored that they elected to ride a cable car as part of their visit to San Francisco.''

Evie & her BFF

Finally, I got some pics of Evie & her BFF, Wasabii. These two are 'sisters in a past life' according to the pet psychic. They looooove each other. They played for an hour yesterday. It was awesome.






Wasabii has a move where she jumps on evie's back and lays there. Then, they both lay there like that. it is hilarious.

It's Official

Gosselin Divorce Papers Filed

After months of speculation, the 10-year marriage of Jon & Kate Plus Eight's stars Kate and Jon Gosselin appears to be coming to an end, a source close to the situation tells PEOPLE.

Documents to initiate a legal split were filed in Pennsylvania Monday afternoon.

Fans who have watched the couple's popular TLC show – or read the voluminous coverage of the Gosselin marriage in the press – will hardly be surprised: The duo had long maintained a tense relationship, with Jon recently telling PEOPLE he wanted a less high-profile life, while Kate appeared to remain committed to their TV career.

In February, photos surfaced of Jon in the company of young women during a solo visit to see his mother, who was recuperating from surgery, in Huntingdon, Pa. The couple quickly attempted to quash rumors of problems. But in May, the scandal erupted again when 23-year-old Deanna Hummel was photographed driving Jon's car home from a bar late at night.

When the fifth season of the Gosselins' show premiered May 25, the couple admitted to having problems and not knowing where their relationship was headed. "Parents of multiples have triple the divorce rate," Kate said through tears. "I was thinking we were going to beat that. I don't know if I can say that anymore."

TLC promotions of the show are promising a major announcement about the family in Monday night's episode of Jon & Kate Plus Eight

Spider bite

I think I was bit by something. Maybe a spider. There were mosquitos in the park the other day. However, I don't think I am allergic to them. I remember yesterday seeing a mosquito bite type thing on my leg though. Today, it is red, raised, itchy, and hot. I am also achy. I feel like flu achy. So, I think its a spider. I am going to put a hot compress on it and watch it. If it's still like this, I guess I will go to the MD tomorrow.

If you want to see some sick stuff, google spider bites. It will make your night. hahaha

3:23

Im dragging today. It's been nonstop. I went to Starbucks and got a VENTI iced vanilla latte to get me thru the last part of the day. Thank you Starbucks.

Crazy of the Day 2

If you thought you saw a sea lion trying to race you on Interstate 880 near the Oakland Coliseum this morning you weren't still dreaming. There was really a young sea lion roaming the freeway. A police officer "tried to coax the sea lion from the back seat of the patrol car and into an animal crate. But the sea lion managed to slip out the door and hid underneath the car." The sea lion will be transported to the Marine Mammal Center.

Crazy of the Day

Just in time for First Lady Michelle Obama's visit, a man was stabbed to death at around 12:30 a.m. his morning on the 1600 block of La Salle Avenue at Third Street. The victim? Douglas Johnson, 49, of San Francisco. It seems that he was in the passenger seat of a parked car when an unidentified man approached. According to SFGate, "Johnson got out of the car and spoke with the man, who stabbed him in the chest and then ran." He died at the scene. No arrests have been made. This make San Francisco's 21st homicide of the year.

Alice In Wonderland

Tim Burton is working with his two fave peeps - Johnny Depp and his wife, Helena Bonham Carter to create Alice in Wonderland. Check out these pics of the two of them. I can't wait to see it!

Next Food Network Star

Does anyone watch the Next Food Network Star? I've watched the past few episodes. It's pretty good however, once they choose a winner, I never ever see their show on FN. I don't know what happens. Anyway, here are my favorites:


Michael is gay & hilarious but he messes up anytime he has to talk to the camera.


Jamika is good in front of the camera AND makes good food

Debbie is also good in front of the camera & makes good food.

Sunday

Evie and I took the best nap yesterday. Sunday afternoon naps are so great. When we got up, I started making dinner and gave her frozen french fries. She loves them. Then, it was time to go outside - she didn't wan to go bc she wanted her fries. hah.

Then, I was watching 'Its Me or the Dog'. Get this. This lady had 6 dogs. They barked like crazy at 1pm bc it was tea time. She would make them tea with sugar & milk. Also, the knew the sound of the ice cream truck & would run out when the truck came. She would buy them legit ice cream cones. Victoria was like, this is out of control & you are killing your dogs by feeding them this food.

Of course, I watched this after giving Evie the french fries. Oh well, she only had a couple. That lady with the dogs was funny.

Saturday

We had a fun Saturday. We went to Goodwill and unloaded some stuff like our old TV, a broken monitor, the dvd player & clothes. Then, we went to Macy's in Union Sq. They were having this one day sale. Erik got jeans for $30! After that, we came home and just hung out. We seem to do this every Saturday & this is my favorite part of the day - napping, having something to eat, and a beer.

We then went to a surf shop for an 'art show'. Whenever you go see art, you don't know if it is going to be good or weird. This was weird. First up, the 'art'"


This fine photo was printed on some weird paper and sold for $150. Um, Ok. If I wanted something like this, I could go down to 6th st and take a picture of someone doing this.

No idea what this is. Ripped up dollar bills and orange peels. There was also a ripped up dollar bill hanging from a nail.

Now, in addition to these weird items there were pics of people surfing also printed on the weird paper.

Anyway, The shop is cute and I took a few pics -










Last but not least, remember this?

This was randomly in the store. I loved this when I was younger. It came with those big fat coins you put thru the cash register. On another 80's toy note - the SF Zoo is having some weeble(now called Little People) show or something. I think that weebles now look totally different from what we had in the 80's. If you look at the version we had, you will quickly realize they are a choking hazard! hah

Anyway, we finished the day with dinner at Chow. Erik had the eggplant and I had the thai chicken salad. Both so good. This place is warm & cozy with wood cabin like walls & fireplaces.

MAYJAH NEWS

Well, Saturday started off with a bang. As you know, I am trying to take Dog Bite Man #1 to court. Well, the Sheriff couldn't deliver to his mailbox. Then, I went and had the court mail the papers. He ignored that, as well. Finally, we saw him yesterday. He drove right into the parking lot across the street. Well, anyone but me can serve him with the papers. So, Erik did it.

We were dying. I was watching nervously. But, Erik was the man. He just went right up and handed it to him. Now, I am hoping the guy just says - fine, let me write you a check. If not, I will see him in court on 7/13 at 1:30pm.

Friday 2

On Friday, I got out of work around 3. Came home. Took a nap. I love coming home on Fridays & taking a nap. Evie insisted on laying ON me when I woke up.

Friday

This AM started out great with a surprise sighting of Wasabii. It is always great when Evie can huff & puff in the AM for her morning workout.

Then, we had our lovely lunch at One Market today. We started with the crab cakes, then I had mushroom ravioli. We also had chickpea fries and a glass of sauv blanc. It was lovely!

No plans for the weekend yet. It's Fathers Day on Sunday & sadly I won't be in CT on the back deck eating lobster :-( We have some errands to do tomorrow like drop stuff off at Goodwill. So, we'll see!

Oh and I might finish my book. I cannot put it down. I am going to go to the library next week to return these books and get some new ones.

First Lady Coming to Town

Kicking off the United We Serve summer service initiative, First Lady Michelle Obama, as well as a gaggle of Cabinet secretaries and senior administration officials, will visit San Francisco on Monday to promote volunteering. And while her do-gooding event in San Francisco is closed off to the public and press -- along with KaBOOM!, she will help construct a public playground at Bret Harte Public Elementary School -- you can still lend your time and effort to a needy cause, one that won't involve getting frisked by secret service agents. Check out All for Good to find out more about different projects in the Bay Area that need a few good hands.

Thursday

You know how you have a crappy night & wake up and are like, please just get me through this day. You visualize being home after work doing nothing in sweats with a glass of wine. Well, today was one of those days. I didn't sleep that well. I was doing work, thinking about work, the dog was barking, making a nest with her blanket on the bed, and Erik came home from hockey at 1am.

I woke up on my own at 530 and laid there dozing until 630. At the bus stop for 730. At work 8am. At the client for 9am. But, by noon - i was like, man, this crappy day is 1/2 way over.

This crap day ended great. Betsy, Amy & I along with a few of Amy's friends(who are very fun) went to Trivia night which was fun. A few beers & a few laughs is a great way to end the day.

Tomorrow....work, work, work and a team lunch at this great place, One Market. Team lunch = the 3 of us. We already are discussing, wine, drinks, or SHOTS to top off this week.

I am already looking at the menu & these items look DELISH!

Dungeness Crab Cakes
saffron aioli

Steamed Petrale Sole
jasmine, almonds, muscat gelée 18.50

American Wife

I am currently reading another Curtis Sittenfeld book, American Wife. This book is very long - 550pgs but I cannot put it down. In true CS fashion, the main character is someone who struggles with her identity and finds herself as a fish out of water. It is great so far & I am half way through. As her other heroines have been younger - in college or so, takes you through a young girls life, a tragedy in her life, and moving onto finding the man of her dreams - or so she thought.

I recommend!!